Obituary: Fiess, Norman Robert

FIESS, Norman Robert
(d. 2-12-2012; b.

4-16-1936)

Norman R. Fiess, a longtime resident of the Reardan/Edwall area in Eastern Washington, passed away peacefully in Richland, WA on Sunday, February 12, 2012.

Born in Wilbur on April 16, 1936 to Charles and Evelyn Fiess, Norm was raised in Wilson Creek until moving with his family to Edwall.

Norm graduated from Reardan High School in 1954 and received his Accounting degree in 1958 at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.

He then returned to Edwall where he worked the family farm with his brother.

Norm married Nancy (Wagner) in Reardan on February 14, 1973.

He was very active in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Reardan donating his time as organist, pianist, and treasurer.

Norm and Nancy relocated to South-Central Washington in 1989 where he spent time as a bookkeeper/ accountant for a farm corporation.

In 1993, he chose the semi-retired life, and they moved to Richland where he spent 17 seasons as a tax preparer for H&R Block.

Norm was an avid bowler and enjoyed playing golf in his later years.

He and Nancy spent their time together going to area concerts and plays.

Norm was also very musically gifted playing the sousaphone, trombone, accordion, piano, and organ through the years.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, at their home; his brother, Dennis Fiess of Edwall, WA; and four children, L. Keith Bodeau of Spokane, WA, Joanne M. Mizell of Spokane, WA, Patricia M. Costahaude of Agua Dulce, CA, and Elizabeth M. Oestreich of Harrington, WA.

He also is survived by six grandsons, Christopher Bodeau, Scott Bodeau, Chris Million, Gregory Mizell, Jeffery Mizell, and Dalton Costahaude; seven granddaughters, Holly (Bodeau) Hutton, Rochelle Kessler, Kirsten (Costahaude) Ibbotson, Rachelle Costahaude, Kelley (Oestreich) Boyd, Sarah (Oestreich) Dryden, Emily Oestreich; and eleven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Norm was laid to rest at a private burial service on February 17, 2012 at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in Norm’s memory to the Reardan FFA Scholarship (Reardan High School, P.O.

Box 225, Reardan, WA 99029) or Pacific Lutheran University (PLU Music Dept., 12180 Park Avenue South, Tacoma, WA 98447).
Arrangements by Einan’s Funeral Home in Richland, WA.